The organization, which is closing in on naming a new president, gathered Wednesday at Hawk Pointe Golf Club in Washington Township for its annual meeting.

Speaking to a receptive audience of about 70 people, Guadagno touted Gov. Chris Christie's effort to change the perception that New Jersey is a high-cost state hostile to business.

"I believe the numbers bear out the fact that our tough decisions are beginning to pay off," she said.

Guadagno told the Republican narrative of Christie entering the state in economic dire straits -- inheriting a $2 billion state deficit -- and restraining spending to fix its fiscal crisis.

Such actions have enabled the administration to propose a 10 percent income tax, she said. Democrats object on grounds the reduction heavily benefits the wealthy.

"One at a time, literally if we have to, we will turn around the economy of New Jersey," Guadagno said. "We have begun our comeback. I know we have a long way to go."

Guadagno said retaining businesses is key. She said state officials are working to dissuade Tropical Cheese, a Perth Amboy food company, from relocating to Pennsylvania in search of lower taxes. Guadagno did not say where in Pennsylvania that Tropical Cheese is considering moving.

"Nobody gets to leave New Jersey anymore without a fight," Guadagno said.

Several New Jersey companies have relocated in the Lehigh Valley in the past decade, often citing costs. The most recent examples include:

Guadagno, stressing accessibility to New Jersey business people and taxpayers, gave out her work cell phone number.

"If you have a problem with the state of New Jersey, I will get you an answer," she said.

Chamber chairman Glenn Tippy said the lieutenant governor struck the right chords with merchants.

"She's tough. She's got a mission," said Tippy, president of GBW Insurance in Flanders, N.J. "That mission is to support business."

Tippy said the organization plans to name a president to succeed Robert Goltz later this month. A search committee has narrowed its field to two candidates, he said.

Goltz, who stepped down Dec. 31, has agreed to become executive director of the Miramar Pembroke Pines Regional Chamber of Commerce, a Florida-based organization, just north of Miami. He starts there next week.